Debra S. Mulé for Nassau Legislative District 6

The 6th District includes Baldwin, Baldwin Harbor and Freeport.

Democrat Debra S. Mulé was first elected to the legislature in 2017 and has been advocating for her district's share of county resources ever since. It's been an uphill climb as she and other Democrats say they have been stonewalled by the Republican majority.

But Mulé helped lead Democrats' efforts to force the Republican-controlled legislature to release some discretionary money in return for capital borrowing approvals. Throughout the continued push-and-pull between Republicans and Democrats, Mulé has established herself as a deft player in advocating for her district.

Mulé, 64, of Freeport, says county government is "not a functioning body" because legislative committees don't meet, mandated positions at the county's Department of Social Services are unfilled, and information from the county is withheld from Democratic legislators and the public. She also criticizes the county for not having a proactive plan to fix crumbling sewer pipes.

Benjamin Jackson, 65, a lifelong Freeport resident who served on the village's zoning board of appeals for over a decade, is an independent running on the Republican line. He said the county's infrastructure must be improved before large-scale housing can be built. He promises an independent voice for residents, but 6th District residents already have that in Mulé.

Mulé has shown moxie in speaking out against a sclerotic legislature.

Newsday Opinion endorses Mulé.